Hear Me Out ... ( Roman Harper )

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; With all of the injuries crippling our already bridge on its last leg defense we haven't many answers before we step up to the Plate against the &quot; already crowned NFC Champion Falcons &quot; ( BS ) in less than ...

With all of the injuries crippling our already bridge on its last leg defense we haven't many answers before we step up to the Plate against the " already crowned NFC Champion Falcons " ( BS ) in less than 2 Weeks.

Which means even if we brought someone new in they'd have to catch all the wrinkles better yet folds of Rob Ryans complicated system just in time ( 2 weeks ) for him to throw the falcons for a few loops and for us not to shoot ourselves in the foot while doing so ...

Some suggest signing 49'ers cut players could be a viable option , but just because they're from San Francisco doesn't mean we inherit any of that vaunted defense of theirs. It may be a complete misfire. If Harbaugh can't find use in you , thats pretty darn bad considering what he did with Alex Smith.

So with the Will Smith being out indefinitely with his Knee Injury , here's my proposal ...

Roman Harper cannot cover ( Not News ) ... Point Blank Period. Watch the Texans tape ... When Vaccarro or another Saftey is in , no deep throws. When Roman's in , Bang 30 Yard Snag right off of the blocks. Not to Say Harper didn't have a good game , because when he hit people he looked alot like a Linebacker ...

HMMMM , Now there's an Idea !!!

Placing him at Will Smiths linebacker position would be a tremendous upgrade , because of his speed , physicality , instincts , and if we trusted Harper to cover teams best receivers why shouldn't we be able to trust him covering guys that Will Smith would otherwise be covering ? When he was playing under Greg Williams he led our Team in Sacks. The Guy Has Linebacker written all over him. I'd rather have a slightly undersized but physical nasty speedy Linebacker than what our previous choice was.

But Then Who Would be our Safeties ? I remember a post on this forum about the efficiency of Isa Abdul when he was targeted. In Fact I remember our season turned around when he and Bush got more reps. We had turnovers and even pitched a shutout ( Tampa Bay )

And then you add the Rookie Vaccarro !
Look people we Drafted Vaccarro to do just what he has done. Get Physical , Shut Other teams weapons down and get a bit bloody. The Kid has a Swagger to him that says , I got this , I think we should let him get it ! He's repeatedly stated he is not intimidated by the bright lights or covering the Likes of Julio Jones. And Judging by the position we're in it may come down to just that.

Harper is an aggressive weapon that we're trying to make a passive player. I personally think Harper would be an Asset at LB. His coverage skills for a Safety are questionable but for covering RB's and Flat routes ... Easy and He already knows the system.

I can appreciate the idea but Harper at LB wont work. As an OLB you need to be able to set the edge and turn running play back to the inside. OLBs that weigh 270 have problems against the run, there is no way in hell Harper could manage the run as an OLB. Harper is not a great pass rusher; when the guy got sacks it was due to him not being blocked on the designed blitz. Has anyone seen Harper shed an OT to make a sack on the QB?

Truth is we are hurting at OLB but we should stretch to make a player fit the scheme? If Wilson and Galette are ready to go 100% week 1 then we will do pretty well, but if they have nagging injuries our young bucks need to put their big boy pants on.